his door again when her system of beliefs began to crumble. He’d asked no questions, held no expectations. Just seeing her every day, scenting her as she slept behind the closed bedroom door, was enough. Until it wasn’t.
She’d taught Tito how to read music. And she taught him how to love again.
No other force in Heaven or on Earth could’ve convinced him to open his home to Max Savoie and make nice with him at their table but, unfortunately, to him Mary Kate was both. It was their first time entertaining as a couple, and he’d be hanged if he’d be the one to ruin it. Baring his teeth in what might be mistaken for a smile, he invited Savoie and his cop inside.
Mary Kate rushed to embrace their guests with the enthusiasm he lacked, crying, “Come in! We’re so glad you’re here.”
Savoie caught Philo’s eye. Yeah, right.
Arm-in-arm, the two friends headed for the small kitchen area that was separated from the rest of the living space by different types of flooring. Only the bedroom and bath had the privacy of walls.
Savoie extended a carrier of imported dark beer as a peace offering. Checking the alcohol content, Philo decided to be the better man and accept it with a nod, concluding that as long as nobody died, the evening could be endured.
The first thing Cee Cee noticed was the absence of blankets on the end of the sofa, indicating shared covers in the other room. As she made that deduction, Mary Kate replaced the expected blush with a sly grin as she looped her arm through her friend’s and winked.
That wasn’t the only thing winking.
“Oh. My. God!” Cee Cee snatched up her friend’s left hand to admire the small but feisty diamond on her third finger. “When did this happen?”
“Last night. All by itself.”
“And,” Philo grumbled, “a helluva lot of persuading.”
“So,” Cee Cee demanded, ignoring him, “do you have a date?”
“June. 2035.”
Mary Kate gave her betrothed a swat. “We haven’t gotten that far. But we wanted you two to be the first to know.”
The fact that Philo didn’t flinch had Cee Cee squeezing him tighter to offer, “About damned time.”
His chuckle warmed the chill in the room.
“You know,” Cee Cee pseudo-whispered, “she’s had an eye on you since high school.”
Philo regarded the blushing blonde, eyes wide. “What?”
Cee snorted. “You think she was giving away those lessons outta the goodness of her heart? She was doing it because of those tight jeans you wear.” At Mary Kate’s aghast look, she put up her hand. “Honest truth.”
“That was a long time ago,” Philo said quietly. “We aren’t those folks anymore.” He regarded Max for a long moment before stating, “’cause of you.”
A sudden thunderhead of protective fury, Cee Cee squared off between the two of them, glaring up at her best friend’s love. “Max had nothing to do with that.”
“Sure, he did,” Philo argued, tone still quiet. “’cause if he hadn’t stepped in when he did, you and Mary Kate wouldn’t be here in this room.” He looked to the former Mobster with ego-crushing sincerity. “And I think it’s time I got over myself to thank you for that.”
Max regarded the extended hand with a surprised blink then gripped it for a quick shake that Tibideaux ended with, “How ′bout we break into them brews?”
– – –
Helping Mary Kate clear the table, Cee Cee volunteered at the sink to dry while her best friend washed. As she toweled the inexpensive stoneware, she couldn’t help comparing that simple task to what had finally been accomplished. Mary Kate Malone had wiped the past away and was ready to store it out of sight. Finally.
“So, ring and all,” she mused.
Mary Kate slid her a glistening side eye. “He said he’d been planning it since the first time he saw me.”
Cee Cee snorted. “Who’da thought he was a romantic.” She winced at the well-placed elbow. “Good. It’s time you moved on.”
Clutching a plate to her chest, her friend inhaled deeply and let it out on a gust of past hopes and fears. “Yes, it is, but I’ve still got a lot of housecleaning to do. Things to put right . . . with you, with Max . . . and family.”
“Family? I didn’t think you had any.”
“Surprise!”
Cee Cee turned, leaning her hip against the lower cupboards to scrutinize her friend more closely. “Good or bad surprise?”
“Good, I think. Or it could be when I find the courage to share it. Lots of things have changed, Lottie.